In the upcoming CNN debate, former president Donald Trump's habit of speaking over his archrival, President Joe Biden \- as he did in 2020 - will be curtailed.
Knewz.com has learned that thanks to a new rule by CNN, microphones will only be switched on when it is the respective candidate’s turn to speak—and neither of the two would be allowed access to their staff during the two ad breaks.
The debate, which will last for 90 minutes and transpire on June 27, has already got Trump crying foul.
Appearing on Logan Paul's “IMPAULSIVE” podcast the former president claimed that there was “a good 10% chance” of the channel being fair to him.
“Fake [Jake] Tapper and lots of other people that were involved on CNN, [the Biden campaign] wanted to be seated, which I didn't like,” Trump ranted, referring to the network’s The Lead host.
“I said we should stand and I think we won that point.”
“But I would have agreed to whatever I had agreed to because they didn't want to do it. They thought that I wouldn't do it because it's CNN, but I've done plenty of CNN,” he said.
“I did a town hall not so long ago with CNN that worked out well. But I think they’ll be fair. I think they’re gonna try to be fair. As fair as they can be.”
The podcast’s host, Mike Majlak pointed out that Trump’s projected posture was a departure from his usual attitude toward the network, and said: “That sentiment that CNN might be fair to you is a bit of a departure from your normal hardline stance.”
At this point, Trump seemed to revert to his long-standing anti-CNN sentiments and said: “They might be [fair],” Trump said. “I'd say a good 10% chance.”
Maljak, still cogitating the 78-year-old’s relatively moderate position on the matter, pressed the issue and asked: “Do you think that you're starting to come around or soften your views on some of the networks that you may have not gotten along with in the past?”
Trump answered this question by insisting his views on the channel remained as they were and said: “No, they're fake news. They're so bad.”
Hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are slated to moderate the first debate and are expected to “use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” per CNN.
The last time Trump appeared live on the network he faced Kaitlin Collins.
Trump referred to the exchange while speaking to Maljak and said: “I really thought they were gonna go maybe sort of in the middle. But I was wrong… As I'm getting on and I'm hearing the way I'm being announced. They said, ‘Hey, these people are playing hardball.’”
Following the Town Hall event, Trump's advisors called his performance a success despite the former president losing his cool and calling Collins “a nasty person”, Forbes.